It is not a secret that four or five times a year big sewing groups, organized by Peggy Sagers (Silhouette Patterns), Marsha McClintock (Saf-T-Pockets) and Mimi Jackson (Shop the Garment District) visit Elliott Berman Textiles to see our fabrics and meet all of us in person. When these passionate sewing fans step into our showroom, we give them a tour and tell a story of how our Italian and French beauties travel across the Atlantic Ocean all the way from Europe. Inspired and excited, our guests begin a journey within our ''candy store'' to find their own treasure.

In one of such trips one of these sewers Joan Stoicheff found her favorite fabrics. And now she'd like to share the garments she made of our fabrics. To say she is talented is to say nothing! Look at each outfit and see how elaborated it is. We love and adore each of them.

So get inspired! And, maybe, some time in one of such trips you'll find your favorite print and fabric at your favorite shop!PS. Individual visit are also welcome!

Last week we all witnessed another Annual Gala by Metropolitan Museum in New York. Celebrities demonstrated as always the last fashion trends according to the theme of the Gala “Chinese Whispers”. The invited guests had a chance to be the first to preview the Costume Institute’s Spring 2015 “China: Through the Looking Glass” to focus on Chinese Imagery in Art, Film, and Fashion. Being excited by the gowns and tuxedos the celebrities wore that night, I had not a single reason to think twice but to dedicate entirely my last week Saturday to the new exhibition at the Met. The Metropolitan Museum entrance was calling me from a far, and as soon as I entered, the unusual than ever number of people made me realize that I would not be the only one to see the masterpieces by famous fashion designers.

I followed the exhibition display to the second floor and found Myself in a different world. Met by the mannequins hiding in illuminated glass bamboo forest, I immediately felt the spirit of the exhibition, accompanied by traditional Chinese music and drums. I took a deep breath to take a step inside the hall as I knew that I would be devoured by 140 showcased costumes. I could not believe my eyes as well as I did not know what to begin with and what to look at. Each presented dress designed by Yves Saint Laurent, Jeanne Lanvin, Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, Ralph Lauren, etc had at its feet an inspiration object. What a magical duo they both created! I had to spend much longer than 5 minutes with each garment, observing details and exquisite hand work embroidery and beading. One of the culminating moments for me was a dress made of china. Yes, made of bits of china! That’s how Roberto Cavalli implemented pun into fashion. One of his collections was inspired by blue-and-white china and this dress had to make an appearance in the exhibition “China: Through the Looking Glass”

The world of creativity and inspiration, fantasy and imagination - that’s how I can describe it all! There is so much to tell, but I will let photographs to continue the story, though they would not give justice. I just hope you will visit this magnificent exhibition at the Met in New York, as it will be open for public till August 16, 2015.

As some of you might have heard, on April 30, 2015 Fashion Institute of Technology had its annual event Future of Fashion 2015, presented by Calvin Klein. Elliott Berman Textiles, having long and established relations with FIT, was among invited guests. The entire EBT team was thrilled by this event as attending it always becomes an exciting and breath-taking experience. Red carpet and cameras were inpaitiently waiting for fashion celebrities. And as soon as we stepped inside, runway music beat, smiles and sparkles in guests' eyes could assure anyone that something sensational was about to happen.

Having taken our seats, we were fully ready for the fashion show to begin. The lights were dimmed and FIT President Dr. Joyce F. Brown opened the ceremony, giving a wonderful speech, followed by videos establishing magnificent talent of FIT students. In a few minutes later Nicole Richie, a hostess of that night, welcomed all of the guests to enjoy the show of 77 garments of women, kids and lingerie wear. With appearance of the first garment on the runway, we all stood in awe. If only you were there, you would have been highly impressed by creative details, meticulous and neat work on the outfits. Every single thing was speaking of haute-couture genius, dedication, devotion, passion and definite accomplishment.

That night runway show was perfect pleasure for eyes and soul. What else could one desire? But Elliott Berman Textiles was for a treat that night - seeing on the podium their own fabrics, sewn into the garments, which had received special critics awards!What a night! What people! What talent!

Every year Elliott Berman Textiles imports thousands of cotton fabric. Mainly, the cotton we import comes from France, and sometimes from Italy. However, no matter what country it is from, this cotton fabric is always high-end, and the variety of prints and colors is always breath-taking and to the latest fashion trends.

Location:• Cotton is grown in many countries around the world. In 2004, cotton was grown in more than 100 different countries. It is grown from 45 degrees north at Ukraine and 37 degrees south at Australia. • In 2004/05 China, USA, India, Pakistan and Brazil accounted for nearly 75 per cent of the world’s cotton production. (Source: ICAC, 2005) • Approximately two-thirds of Australia’s cotton is grown in NSW with the remainder produced in Queensland.• The major production area in NSW stretches south from the Macintyre River on the Queensland border and covers the Gwydir, Namoi and Macquarie valleys. In NSW cotton is also grown along the Barwon and Darling Rivers in the west and the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee rivers in the south.

History:

• The Aztec civilisation used naturally coloured brown cotton as a principal form of payment. • The word ‘cotton’ is derived from ‘qutun’ or ‘kutun’, which is an Arabic word used to describe any fine textile. • Archaeologists found cotton fabric 5,000 years old at Mohenjo Daro, an ancient town in the Indus River Valley of West Pakistan. • Cotton dates from at least 7,000 years ago making it one of the world’s oldest known fibres. • Ancient Peruvians made fishing nets and lines from darker shades of cotton to be less visible to fish. • Cotton was first exported from Australia in 1830 with a shipment of three bags to England.

Ecology:

• The cotton plant is a leafy, green shrub and a member of the Hibiscus family. • There are 43 species of cotton. 37 of these are from the Old World (Africa, Asia and Australia) and six from the New World (North/South America, Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands). • The cotton plant briefly has cream and pink flowers. Once pollinated, these flowers are replaced by fruit (cotton bolls). • Naturally coloured cotton varieties in South America have come in shades of red, yellow, beige, chocolate, pink, purple, green, striped like a tiger and even spotted like a leopard! • Cotton is primarily grown in dry tropical/sub tropical climates at temperatures between 11-25 degrees. • There may be 1000 different insects in a cotton crop. • Cotton is a natural fibre and makes up just under half of all the fibre sold in the world.

• Almost all parts of the cotton plant are used in some way, including the cottonseed, lint (raw cotton fibre), stalk and hull (shell). For example, popular uses for cotton fibre include clothing apparel such as denim jeans, socks, towels, t-shirts, bed sheets and underwear, home furnishings and industrial/medical products such as tents, bandages and cotton swabs • There is more cotton grown globally than any other non-edible crop. • Since 1940, world cotton consumption has increased at an average annual growth rate of approximately 2%. • Cotton fibre can be woven or knitted into fabrics such as velvet, corduroy, chambray, velour, jersey and flannel. • Linters are the very short fibres that remain on the cottonseed after ginning. Once removed and processed, linters are used to produce goods such as bandages, cotton buds, and x-rays. • Cottonseed oil can used for cooking or used in a range of industrial products such as soap, margarine, emulsifiers, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastics. • Cottonseed oil is cholesterol-free, high in poly-unsaturated fats and contains high levels of antioxidants (Vitamin E) that contribute to its long shelf life. • The stalk of the cotton plant is processed for the development of ethanol in petrol or diesel blends and also used as mulch to improve soil organic matter. • The fibre from one 227kg cotton bale can produce 215 pairs of jeans, 250 single bed sheets, 750 shirts, 1,200 t-shirts, 2,100 pairs of boxer shorts, 3,000 nappies, 4,300 pairs of socks or 680,000 cotton balls. • Cotton is hypoallergenic since it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies. • Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to dye, making it very popular with fashion and home ware designers. • Cotton keeps the body cool in summer and warm in winter because it is a good conductor of heat.

And here is another sewing project made by one of our Facebook FABRICLOVE Winners – Stephanie Sabourin. Stephanie was lucky to win a beautiful French reversible matelasse (with urban design border) from us, Elliott Berman Textiles. It didn’t take Stephanie too long to create this stunning dress, using Simplicity 1419 pattern. Stephanie got quite creative and changed the neckline, the pleating on the skirt and added some decorative seems to the upper bodice. According to Stephanie she loves the dress, and so do we!

And here is another project from one of our FABRICLOVE GIVEAWAY Winners Deborah Merz. She made a beautiful "European look" shirt with Vogue 9902 pattern and of our Italian wool/cotton fabric.Deborah, having this pattern as basic design, does changes to suit her taste and needs. And...voilà... another stylish outfit doesn't make you wait too long.

We find the shirt just marvelous. The neck scarf brings French chic detail and completes the look!

As mentioned before, the Chanel jacket is a classic wardrobe staple. While our previous tutorial was simplified for easy assembly, this pattern created by Claire Shaeffer is reproduced as it was in 1954 and is therefore a bit more advanced. Jennifer Byers takes us through Shaeffer's clear instructions, with a few alterations of her own, to create a Chanel jacket fit for Coco herself.

Jennifer created her look using Chanel Wool Boucle from Elliott Berman Textiles, as well as a silk noile for her lining and silk organza for interlining the body and sleeve caps. The pattern does not call for an interlining, but Jennifer states that it gives the boucle more movement than a fusible interfacing would.

The jacket body is made up of two front panels. two side panels, and two back panels. Jennifer interlines each panel with organza and then applies stay tape to keep the edges stiff and sharp.

For the buttonholes Jennifer used a buttonhole twist thread that is waxed and pulled under an iron (this prevents snaring and chafing of the thread from the fabric). Buttonholes should be sewn with small, tight stitches close together. Though she says the pattern instructions are very clear, Jennifer adds that Claire's book Couture Sewing Techniques gives more detailed information if necessary.

After the buttonholes are sewn, fake welts are hand tacked on to prevent irritation caused by the rough buttonhole backs.

Under the armpits of both front panels, a stay to prevent gaping is created by steam shrinking in a dart. Again, Jennifer says the pattern provides detailed instructions for doing so. The stay is then covered by fabric, in this case it's covered by Jennifer's interlining.

After the stays are created, the panels are hand stitched together to create the full body of the jacket. Jennifer chose to add shoulder pads that are not mentioned in the pattern.

Next, the silk noile fabric is quilted to the jacket as the lining. This process is unusual for other garments, but Jennifer explains that it keeps the lining from shifting and allows it to move as one with the jacket. While the pattern instructs each panel to be lined and then assembled as you work, Jennifer opted to construct the jacket shell and lining in full and then pin and sew the lining to the shell. After the lining and shell are combined, the lining is steamed, shrunk, and pressed.

Pattern instructions advise sewing grosgrain to the jacket following a guide pattern and subsequently attaching the decorative trim. Jennifer found this unnecessary for herself and simply combined the trim and ribbon before applying them to the fabric, taking care to miter the corners for a high-quality look. Afterwards, the signature Chanel chain is attached the jacket's inner edge to assure it falls and hangs properly.

The four exterior pockets are created by hand overcasting the fabric's edges, then folding them in and pressing. Mitering the corners prevents unwanted bulk. After attaching the lining and trim, the pockets are sewn onto the front panels.

As the final additions, the sleeves are uniquely made of three pieces with an outer seam that splits the sleeve from the middle of the cap to the outer cuff. Unlike the body, the sleeves are not interlined to avoid bulk, but the organza can still be used in the cuffs and caps. The lining is quilted onto the open, flat sleeve. Afterwards the sleeves are sewn up before attaching them to the jacket. Not one for taking shortcuts, the Chanel jacket sleeves have real buttonholes instead of simply attaching decorative buttons. The only difference between these buttonholes and those on the jacket's front are the lack of fake welts for the sleeves.

A big thank you to Jennifer for sharing her knowledge and skills with us! As always, the final product looks absolutely amazing. Her jacket is a perfect example of class and timeless style.

Due to the complexity of creating this garment, our post is a somewhat abridged tutorial. Click here to see Jennifer's in depth and fully detailed process.

Once again Jennifer Byers impresses us with her garment construction skills. This time Jennifer has made an amazing dress from Elliott Berman Textiles' lilac solid linen. An advanced project, the dress is lined with yokes and features a skirt with a one-way front pleat and side front pockets! The close-fitting bodice is accentuated by impeccable seam details, two-piece sleeves, and an attached belt.

The beauty of this dress is that it will flatter several different body types and the lightweight fabric makes for a comfortable, breezy wear, which is perfect for the changing autumn weather!

Jennifer says the inside is "quite a construction do!"

Thank you Jennifer for another wonderful contribution! The dress looks phenomenal and we're loving the matching shoes!

It is summer: sun, vacation, trips to a beach, and other fun time with family and friends! But it seems that despite your busy fun activity schedule, you still have some time to sew. Surely, summer is so inspiring! It gives you lots of ideas for easy-and-simple patterns sewing projects.

And to prove it we would like to introduce another sewing project by Mary Brown. Mary used Simplicity Pattern 1622 to make this fabulous tunic made of our Printed Voile Cotton from France. She used only a yard of the fabric and had an absolutely creative idea to decorate the tunic sleeves with a piece of vintage lace crochet from her stash! We agree that lace crochet on the sleeves gives the tunic some individuality.

Besides, Mary is not just our EBT friend but our Fan Page follower! She WON this fabric in our Fabriclove Giveaway that we announce every Thursday.

And here is another sewing project by Jennifer Byers! Using Italian linen from Elliott Berman Textiles, Jennifer decided to make a loose-fitting, flared skirt with below mid-knee length. It is easy and quick to sew! By the way, Jennifer loves this linen; as she says it has the most loft of all the linens she has had, but still drapes nicely and is a delight to work with!

This linen skirt will keep your look modest but absolutely stylish, creating a beautiful silhouette. As a great tip to all sewing fans, Jennifer decided to leftover linen fabric to make belt carriers and a thin "string" belt (see below), which the original pattern was missing.

The skirt is very flattering! Jennifer looks absolutely stunning in it! Besides, this linen skirt flutters nicely in the breeze! For those who didn't know here is some interesting fact about linen: it does not hold body heat and is absorbent!

We hope you are inspired by Jennifer Byer's project and will add some new linen skirts to your summer wardrobe!